Bloodaxe Poetry Introductions is a new kind of anthology aimed at the general reader as well as the poetry lover. Compiled by Staying Alive editor Neil Astley, each book in the series covers four leading contemporary poets in depth, with substantial selections covering the whole range of each writer's poetry, as well as intriguing and illuminating background material, including profiles, interviews, essays and commentary by the poets. This Introduction brings together four of Europe's major modern poets whose highly imaginative poetry addresses the human condition in surprisingly different ways. Whether by wit or mischief, insight or intuition, they show our world in a completely new light.